Donny Osmond, the former teen idol has five sons and 14 grandchildren, all who are eagerly awaiting the return of the multi-hyphenate entertainer, currently on a three-month “Direct from Las Vegas“ tour.
And right before his departure, Osmond showed his social media followers what a giant peacock and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have in common.
Keep reading to learn more!
Donny Osmond, who found galactic success as a teen heartthrob in the 1970s, is as busy today as he was five decades ago.
In 2019, the 66-year-old man ended an 11-year Las Vegas residency with his sister Marie and returned to Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, headlining his first solo residency, which he resumes in the fall of 2024.
After stepping on the stage for the show, where he takes audiences on a “dynamic, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life,” Osmond flies out to the UK for a limited run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The TV host wowed live theatre audiences with his performance as Joseph in the hit musical that ran from 1992 to 1998, and this time, he’s taking on the role of Pharaoh.
“I always knew I would return to ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’” Osmond said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “Having starred as Joseph in over 2,000 performances in this magical musical, I am now ready to channel my inner Elvis and assume the role of Pharaoh in Edinburgh starting this December [2024].”
But before any of that happens, he’s spending the summer, taking the “Direct from Las Vegas” show to venues across North America.
Giant peacock
With a packed schedule that keeps him from the large family he built with wife Debra (married in 1978), the musician carves out time to spend with his five sons and 14 grandchildren.
Speaking with People, Osmond earlier explained that regardless of how busy he is, family always comes first.
“That’s what balances my life out. Family is the most important thing, because the curtain will come down eventually, and then what do you have?”
Offering fans a glimpse into how he spent the days leading up to his tour, Osmond – who was disguised as a peacock in the first season of Masked Singer – shаrеd an image on his Instagram, where he’s seen in the pool with the grandchildren and a giant inflatable peacock.
He captions the post, “Enjoying a final swim at home with my grandkids before the long US summer tour begins this Friday in Milwaukee. By the way, thanks to Sue Pearson from Leeds in the UK who gave me that inflatable peacock during my tour over there. We’ve had so much fun with it. Speaking of fun, I’ll see you all real soon on my US summer tour.”
Osmond’s loyal followers jumped into the comments section praising the family man, as well as sharing their excitement over his tour.
One netizen writes, “So this is how you stay looking young Donny, your happiness and precious family makes you smile, and that is why you’re always happy on stage.” A second, gushing over the kids, shаrеs: “What a beautiful pictures of you and your grandbabies. Can’t wait to see you [in] Louisville.”
“Can’t wait for this summer tour. Rest up…what is it 41 venues? Wow! Donny What a historic US Tour. So exciting! See you in Connecticut,” adds a third.
Meanwhile, some fans zoned in on the peacock and referenced it to his appearance on Masked Singer. “Love the peacock…you should have won!!!!” one writes.
If you haven’t yet figured out what a peacock and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have in common, they both are costumes worn by this legendary singer!
What are your thoughts on Donny Osmond? Please let us know what you think and then shаrе this story so we can hear what others have to say!
The fascinating and tragic story of Mary Ann Bevan
The story of Mary Ann Bevan, who was considered ‘The ugliest woman in the world,’ starts in the 19th century, a dark period of the American culture when ‘freak shows,’ traveling circuses showing people with certain deformities and disabilities, were at the peak of their popularity.
Today, it is highly unacceptable to treat people with disabilities with disrespect, but back in the day, no one believed it was morally wrong to dub them freaks.
Mary Ann Bevan was born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, United Kingdom. She grew up to become a nurse and was respected by the society. On top of that, she was a very attractive woman who was offered many possibilities.
In 1902, Mary met the love of her life, a man named Thomas Bevan. The two married and welcomed four children together, but their happiness didn’t last long. After 14 years, Thomas passed away, leaving Mary heartbroken.
Her life became difficult as she was left to take care and provide for her children all by herself.
Unfortunately, around the time she turned 32, Mary started experiencing strange symptoms. Her face started changing gradually and she didn’t know what was happening or what caused that change which impacted her both psychologically and financially. Mary’s bones grew big, and her face became deformed. As a result, she lost her job and was unable to provide for her children any longer.
Back in the day, no one could diagnose her, but this poor woman suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood, when a change in height doesn’t occur. Instead, the increase in bone size is limited to the bones of the hands, feet and face.
Today, a lot more is knows about this condition and there are ways to keep it under control, which wasn’t the case during the time Mary lived.
Crushed, heartbroken, and poor, this woman saw an ad one day which read, “Wanted: Ugliest woman. Nothing repulsive, maimed or disfigured. Good pay guaranteed, and long engagement for successful applicant. Send recent photograph.”
No matter how awful she felt about this ‘job,’ she saw no way out of her situation. She simply needed to do anything in order to feed her children. Above all, she was a mother.
Mary answered the ad and she was soon contacted by the circus’ agent, a man named Claude Bartram, who later shared Mary’s story.
“She was not repulsive at all. She had the kind of face one usually finds in a giant, a powerful, masculine jaw, prominent cheek-bones, nose and forehead, but she was unblemished, healthy and strong. She told me she did not like the idea of placing herself on exhibition, she was shy and did not want to be separated from her children,” Bartram said, according to Daily Star.
“I told her she would earn £10 per week for a year, travelling expenses and all the money from the sale of picture postcards of herself, so she could provide for the education of her children.”
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In no time, magazines were filled with Mary Ann’s photos and everyone recognized her as ‘the ugliest woman on Earth.’
Her popularity brought her to the Dreamland Circus in Coney Island, New York, one of the most famous circuses there were. Mary Ann became an attraction, but then a doctor named Harvey Cushing, a leading neurosurgeon, spotted her and knew there was more behind ger huge face that he wanted to explore thoroughly.
“This unfortunate woman who sits in the sideshow of Ringling Brothers ‘between Fat Lady and Armless Wonder’ and ‘affects white lace hats, woollen mittens and high laced shoes’ has a story which is far from mirth-provoking.
“She, previously a vigorous and good-looking young woman, has become the victim of a disease known as acromegaly,” he wrote in a letter to Time magazine.
Mary Ann spent her life working at the circus and she was reported to have earned a small fortune which enabled her to send her children back to England where they attended boarding schools.
She endured a lot, but she did it all for her children.
Mary Ann died at the age of 59 of natural causes. Her final wish was to be buried in her homeland, England, and her children fulfilled her wish. She is resting at the Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery in South London.
This woman’s sad, yet fascinating life story speaks of the mother’s love for her children more than anything else.
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